Belt fastener for conveyers



Nov. 27, 1928.

E. c. MORGAN BELT FASTENER FOR CONVEYERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 originalagiled Aug. 11, 1921 E. c; MORGAN BELT FASTENER FOR CONVEYERS Nov. 27, 1928.

Original Filed Aug. 11, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 27, 1923.

UNETED "STATES EDMUND o. MORGAN, nncniisnn; LATE on NEW YORK, N. Y., BYOLIVE EXECU'IRIX, or YORK, N. Y.

PATENT OFFICE.

BELT FAsrEnnn non CONVEYERS.

Original application filed August 11, 1921, Serial No. 491,474. Divided and this application filed September 16, 1925. Serial No. 56 589.-

This invention relates to belt fasteners for conveyors and one of the objects thereof is the provision of a device for elliciently and eifectively joining two ends of a belt. The present application is a division of the copending application of said Edmund C. Morgan, Serial No. 491,474, tiledAugust 11, 1921, for an improvement in loading and conveying apparatus for coal mines.

More particularly it is the object of the present invention to provide a belt fastener of a flexible nature for joining the ends of a conveyer belt insuch a way as to permit the belt to be disposed longitudinally in the form of a trough.

Another ob ect of the invention is the pro- VISIOIL of means for holding theends of the belt in adjacent position while exerting tension on the belt.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of fastening means for joining the ends of a oonveyer belt .while the belt is disposed around the rollers of the conveyer and without dismantling the latter.

Another object of the invention is the provision of conveyor units, each comprising'an endless traveling conveyor belt adapted to be connected to a similar endless conveyer belt of another unit to form a continuous extended traveling conveyor belt of. conveyei' units connected end to end.

Another object of the invention is the provision of sectional extensible conveyer co1n-, prising a plurality of units, each complete in itself and adapted to be operated separately, but also capable of being connected to other units to form such extensible eonveyer with the conveyer of each unit connected to the conveyors of the next adjacent unit to form one continuous conveyor.

A further object of the. invention is the provision of sectional conveyor units adapted to be connected end to end to form one contin-nous conveyer of any .desi able length so that the dislodged coal may be received, con

veyed and delivered with the formation of a minimum-amount of slack.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved. means for connecting. the ends ofithe belts of conveyer units together while permitting the belt to be bent by deflection rollers to form a conveyer trough. A still further obj ectjof the invention is the provision of improved means for clamping" the ends of the belt 01 conveyerunits and drawing them together for connection end to end.

Other ob ects Wlll appear hereinafter, the

novel features'and combinations being set forth in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is an elevational view of aconveyer unit equipped with an endless traveling belt embodying the invention;

F 2 is an elevational view showing three conveyor units connected together to for'in' one continuous conveyor,

Fig. 3 is a view more or lessdiagrammatic to show the manner in which the conveyer belt ofone unit may be connected to the conveyer belt ofthe next adjacent unit; I

1 illustrates a modification of the flexible connection between the ends of the con-' veyer units -Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of a hinge pin embodied in the invention;

Fig. 6 is a plan View of a belt clamping mechanism for bringing together the adjacent ends of the belts of conveyor units;

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 6;

. Fig. 8 is a. side view of the structures shown in Figs. 6 and 7 showing the manner in which the ends of the belts of the adjacent conveyer units are brought together so that the flexible connect; pin of Fig. 5 may be placed'in the position illustrated; d Fig. 9 is a plan view of a fragmentary portion of the flexible connection between the conveyor belt oi one unit and the conveyer belt of the next adjacent unit; and j I F 10 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 10, 10 of Fig; 9 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to Fig. 1, 2d designates a longitudinal bar of a pair of angle bars wliich'ar'e adapted to support the framework of the conveyer unit so that the latter may slide over the mine floor. Spaced-apart vertical standards 26, 27 and 28 support the longitudinal angle bar 30 in'elevated positiomthere being a pair of such angle bars 30 disposed in a horizontal plane. The angle bars '30 hav'ese- E. MO RG AIQT cured thereto spaced apart brackets for carrying rollers in horizontal and inclined posi tions to supportthe belt 31 to form a trough to carry the coal 32 as illustrated in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 1 the spaced-apart brackets 33 carry the horizontal rollers 34 under the belt 31 while the brackets 35 at both sides of the conveyer carry the individual, short, inclined rollers 36 to deflect the side portions of the belt as shown in Fig. 1.

Between the lower longitudinal angle bar 24 and the upper longitudinal angle bar 30 is secured an electric motor 37 as shown in Fig. 2. This motor is connected by the gearing 38 in the gear casing 39 to the drive shaft 40 which extends from end to end of the conveyer unit as shown in Fig. 1. At the end portions of the drive shaft 40 and intermediate the ends thereof the shaft 40 has secured thereto the worms 41, 42 and 43 which mesh respectively with the worm wheels 44, 45 and 46.

As shown in Fig. 1 the worm wheel 44 is keyed to a transverse shaft 221 mounted in suitable bearings on the framework of the machine. This transverse shaft has mounted thereon-and secured thereto a drum or pulley 216 for receiving the belt 31 to drive the latter. If all the driving power were applied to one such drum or pulley the latter.

would have to be of sufficient diameter to secure the necessary friction to operate the load. It is preferred, however, to reduce the diameters of the driving drums or pulleys so that the conveyer units maybe located and operated in low roof mines. The worm wheel 46 is therefore connected to drive the drum or pulley 47 at the other end of the ma chine and the worm wheel 45 is connected to drive the pulley48'intermediate the ends of 31 along the upwardly inclined paths as shown in Fig. 1 to secure additional friction as the drums or pulleys 216 areat the same time securing driving'connection at the pulley 48.

When the motor 37 operates and the shaft 40 is driven the drums 216, 47 and 48 are simultaneously operated but the ratio of the gearing for each drum may be so proportioned as to secure the same driving speed for each pulley where it contacts with the belt 31, thus equalizing the driving drums or pulleys.

Each conveyer unit may be provided with .a pair of roof jacks similar to the roof jack 50 pivoted to the frame-work ofthe machine asshown in Fig. 1.

Rigidly connected to the rear end of the framework of the machine is a rearwardly extending connecting bar 53, there, being a similar connecting bar rigidly connected to the next adjacent unit will be in proper po-.

sition to have its eyes register respectively with the eyes 59 of the bars 57 to receive a pivot pin to flexibly connect the unit, as illustrated in Fig. 2. I

in Fig. 4 is shown a modification of the flexible connections between'the ends of the conveyor units in that the forward ends of the floor angle irons 24 are each prov ded with upwardly curved brackets 57 having a long1- tudinal opening at its upper end through which projects a screw-threaded rod 217'provided with an eye 59 at its forward end; By means of the nuts 219 and 2:20 thedegree to which the'eye 59 projects beyond the bracket 57 may be adj usted. In this manner connections may be more readily made between the units and when two or more units areconnected in series, as shown in F ig..2,' the ten sion of the belt conveyer may be adjusted by extending or retracting the connections at 59. It can readily be seen by referring to Fig. 3 that by means of the construction shown in Fig. 4 the angle bars 24 and 24 may be spread apart or brou ht closer together,

thereby regulating the tension or slack in the conveyer belt con'iprising the sections 31 and 31 which are secured together at 70.

The forward end of the driving shaft 40 of each conveyer unit is squared at 61 to fit into a corresponding socket 652, at the rear end of the next adjacent unit. Also at the end portions of the drive-shaft '40 are flexible couplings 63 and (34, each comprising a flexible element llh.

connected between the shaft 40 and the socket unit, and therefore the power transmitted to .the belt will be distributed over a wide area along the entire sectional con veyer.

In Fig. 3 is illustrated the manner of connecting one unit with the next adjacent unit.

When the coupling bars 57 and 53, mounted respectively on the frames 24 and 24 are brought together,-so that the pivot pin 66 units the power from the motor on one unit 'will be distributed to three pulleys on each may be inserted, the belts 31 and 31 of adj acent units may be disconnected at 67 and 68, and the ends swung upwardly and doWn-. wardly in the direction of the arrows, so that the ends of the belts can be secured together at 69 and 710 to formone continuous belt for the two adjacent sections.

In Figs. 6, 7 and 8 is shown a construction which is particularly adapted to drawing the ends of the belt together so that the flexible pin shown in Fig. may be inserted in position to connect the loops or hinges of thebelt ends. The frame 71 shown in Fig. 7 is provided with an arm 72 which is pivoted at 7 8 to one branch of the frame 71. A bolt 74 is pivoted at 75to one end of the frame 71. The

. screw-threaded portion of the bolt 7 1 extends through an opening in the outer end of the pivoted arm 72 and is adapted to receive a wing nut 7 6 for clamping the belt 31 securely to the frame 71. I

In a similar manner the frame 77 may be provided with a pivoted arm 78 hinged at 79 and operated by the wing nut 80 to clamp the frame 77 to the belt31.

It should also be observed that the frame 71 is provided with rearward extensions 81 and 82 to extend over the topof the frame 77 and also remain rigidly connected to the frame 71. The arm 72 is also provided with a pair of rearwardly extending guide arms 83 and 84 to extend under the pivoted arm 78 as shown in Fig. 8.

Extending laterally from the frame 71 are the pins 85 and 86 in position to receive the hooks 87 and 88 respectively. On the frame 71 are the bearing standards 89 and 90 for supporting the rock-shaft 91 to which is connected the operating lever 92. At the other end of'the rock-shaft 91 is a lever arm 93 pivoted at its lower end to the hook arm 88. Boththe hook arms 87 and 88 are in parallel relation and pivoted respectively to the arms 92 and 93 at equal distances from the rockshaft 91. The-lever arm 92 is free to be moved forward so that the hooks 87 and 88 will reach over the pins 85 and 86 and engage the latter and then when the lever 92 is retracted the belts 31 and 31 may be drawn together so that their hinge loops 94 and 95 may be brought into registry as shown in Fig. 8 whereupon the fiexiblehinge pin 96 may be inserted to pivotally connect the ends of the belt.

As shown in Fig. 5 the flexible hinge pin for the belt ends comprises a metal coil or spring 97 mounted between the caps 98 and 99 with a rod 100 connecting them. This rod is preferably composed of spring metal or of such material that when made of comparatively small diameter it will bend in conformance with the bending of the conveyer belt, whenever the conveyer belt hinge moves along the angular deflecting rollers 36. The flexible pin is inserted into the hinge loops 94k and 95 from the left, as viewed in Fig. 5, the cross pin 101 being relied upon to limit the posi-.

tion of the pin in said loops. After the pin has been inserted into the loops as shown in Fig. 5, the locking pin 102 i sinserted and bent as shown to hold the flexible pin in proper relation to the hinge loops at the ends of the a resilient spring 97 having an internal opening or passage to receive th rod 100. This internal opening is of a diameter larger than the diameter of the rod and thus the con struction permits free and easy bending of the hinge pin whenthe belt is deflected by the inclined rollers 36. The space around the rod 100 between the inner surface of the spring 97 is suliicient to prevent binding and excessive frictional wear between these twoelements.

The heads 98 and 99 are keyed or pinned,

onto the ends of the rod 100 as shown at 101 and 102 respectively. Thcse heads areadapt= ed to retain the spring 97 in a compressed state to limit the length tl1ereof.- Either one of the pinsmaybe removed to detach one.

of the heads for the purpose of removing and replacing a worn spring.

The rearwardly extending guides 83 and 8 1- and the rearward extensions 81 and 82 are provided to direct the adjacent ends of the belt sections so as to bring the hinge loops secured thereto into registration with each other. The fastening device is also adapted to apply sufficient tension on the belt after it is disposed over the rollers, to holdthe hinge loops in registration, while the flexible hinge pin is being inserted without reducing the tension in the belt. Thus it is not necessary to remove the conveyor. belt member from the rollers in order to -draw the ends thereof together for producing the required tension.

The flexible hinge pin is adapted to bend sufiiciently to permit the belt to conform to the inclination of the deflection rollers when the joint passes thereover and to straighten out when the joint passes over thehorizontal end rollers. Thus the upper portion of the conveyer belt is disposed in the form of an elongated trough while the under portion is substantially flat as shown in Fig. 1.

The sectional conveyer shown in Fig. 1 comprises a plurality of individual conveyer units which are connected together with the conveyer belt-s thereof joined end to end to unit may be added at the expense of comparatively-little labor. One of the joints of the continuous conveyer belt may be unfastened by removing the hinge pin and an end of the belt section of the added unit may be secured to one end of the extended belt con-r veyer. After the frame of the additional unit has been attached to the frame of the last unit of the series, the belt and clamping means may be attached to the free ends of the extended'belt and these ends may then be thespirit and scope of the invention delined by the claims hereto appended, and it istherefore desired not to be restricted to the precise construction herein disclosed.

Having thus fully described and shown an embodiment of the invention What is desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In conveyer mechanism, the combination With a belt, of a clamp adapted to engage one end of said belt, an additional clamp for engaging the other end of said belt, pins extending'laterally from one of said clamps,

and a pair of books on the other clamp for engaging the said pins to hold the ends ot'said belt together While being connected to form an endless belt. Q

2. A belt fastener comprising clamps adapted to be secured one on each end of a belt, an upright bracket on one of said clamps,

an ope "ating lever pivoted on the upper end of said bracket, a connecting lever pivoted to said operating lever intermediate the ends thereof, a hook on the free end or saidcon necting lever, and a pin on the other clamp adapted to be engaged by said hook to draw said clamps together When said operating le-. ver is pressed downwardly 5. A belt fastener comprising two clamping members, means for securing said clamping members to adjacent ends of a belt, a pin projecting from each side of one ofsaid clamping members, and a hook pivotally mount-ed on each slde of the other clamping member in PGglStIZLUOII With sald pins, said hooks being adapted to engage said pins after the clamping members are secured to said belt ends and to draw the latter together.

OLIVE EMORGAN, E moat/ix of the Estate of Edmund 6. M02"- gcm, DeaeasedQ 

